One year on: Armed police cordon off Hereford city centre

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

A huge emergency response was seen in the city centre just after 4pm on March 27, 2023.

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

Police cordons were put in place across Commercial Street, Widemarsh Street, St Peters Street, Broad Street, and East Street as officers responded to a "serious concern for welfare".

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

West Midlands Ambulance service also confirmed that ambulances, paramedic officers, the hazardous area response team, and a MARS doctor were sent to the scene, while the Midlands Air Ambulance landed nearby at Castle Green.

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

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Police activity centred on Santander and the former H. Samuel shop, which now stands empty in the city centre.

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

At the time Ian Jebb, who shared his pictures with us, said he had gone for a coffee when he saw the commotion.

Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb

"I witnessed police officers try to kick down the door to the right of Santander with no joy then they had a go at trying to smash the glass with batons again no joy," he said.

A cordon was put in place in High Town, Hereford. Picture: Paul Rogers

"Just after that loads of plain-clothed officers arrived on the scene and shortly after that high town was being taped off.

Doctors and paramedics were called to Hereford High Town. Picture: Paul Rogers

"Dog handlers then arrived, police were looking up towards the rooftops of buildings either side of Santander."

East Street, Hereford, was closed off. Picture: Paul Rogers

Pictures showed glass in the door at the old H. Samuel shop had been smashed and entry gained.

A door at the former H Samuel shop in Hereford was smashed by police. Picture: Ian Jebb

The cordon was lifted in the city centre just after 6pm, with a cordon outside Santander removed later in the evening. 

The following morning, police confirmed they were called after a report a baby was at "immediate risk." As a precaution, a cordon was quickly put in place covering High Town and East Street, and the public urged to avoid the area.

Several buildings in the city centre were searched based on information received, but all were found to be clear.

As further intelligence came to light, the cordon was reduced and was removed completely at around 10pm. A police spokesperson said enquiries found that the call had been made outside of the United Kingdom and a suspect has been identified.

It was confirmed that no baby was harmed during the incident.